On Tuesday, Americans stood in line[s] that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen. It didn’t matter who they were or where they came from or what they looked like or what Party they belonged to; they came out and cast their ballot because they believed that in this country our destiny is not written for us, but by us. We should all take pride in the fact that we once again displayed for the world the power of our democracy, and reaffirmed that the great American ideal that this is a nation where anything is possible. 周二，美国民众排起了蜿蜒环绕学校和教堂的长队，人数之多为这个国家前所未见。无论他们是谁，无论来自何方，无论长相如何，无论属于哪个政党，他们纷纷走出家门投下选票，因为他们深信，在这个国家，我们的命运不是为我们写就，而是由我们亲手书写。我们都应当为这样一个事实感到自豪：我们再次向世界展示了我国民主的力量，并重申了这一伟大的美国理想——这是一个一切皆有可能的国家。
This week, I spoke with President Bush, who graciously offered his full support and assistance in this period of transition. Michelle and I look forward to meeting with him and the First Lady on Monday to begin that process. 本周，我与布什总统进行了通话，他慷慨地表示在这一过渡时期将提供全力支持与协助。米歇尔和我期待着周一与他和第一夫人会面，以此启动这一过渡进程。
This speaks to a fundamental recognition that here in America we can compete vigorously in elections and challenge each other's ideas, yet come together in service of a common purpose once the voting is done. And that is particularly important at a moment when we face the most serious challenges of our lifetime. 这体现了一种根本性的共识：在美国，我们可以在选举中激烈竞争、相互质疑彼此的理念，但在投票结束后，却能为了共同的目标团结起来。当我们面临一生中最严峻的挑战时，这一点尤为重要。
Yesterday, we woke up to more sobering news about the state of our economy. The 240,000 jobs lost in October marks the tenth consecutive month that our economy has shed jobs. In total, we've lost nearly 1.2 million jobs this year; and more than 10 million Americans are now unemployed. Tens of millions of families are struggling to figure out how to pay the bills and stay in their homes. Their stories are an urgent reminder that we are facing the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime; and we must act swiftly to resolve them. 昨日，我们醒来便看到了关于我国经济状况更加令人警醒的消息。十月份失去了二十四万个就业岗位，这已是我国经济连续第十个月出现就业流失。今年我们总共失去了近一百二十万个就业岗位；如今有一千多万美国人处于失业状态。数千万家庭正在艰难应对，想办法支付账单并保住自己的住房。他们的故事是一记紧迫的警钟，提醒我们正面临着一生中最为严峻的经济挑战；我们必须迅速行动加以解决。
In the wake of these disturbing reports, I met with members of my Transition Economic Advisory Board who will help guide the work of my transition team in developing a strong set of policies to respond to this crisis; though we must recognize that we only have one President at a time, and that President Bush is the leader of our government. I want to ensure that we hit the ground running on January 20th because we don't have a moment to lose. 在这些令人忧虑的报告发布之后，我会见了过渡经济顾问委员会的成员，他们将协助指导我的过渡团队的工作，制定出一套强有力的政策以应对这场危机；不过我们必须认识到，同一时间我们只有一位总统，而布什总统是我国政府的领导人。我要确保我们在一月二十日就能立即投入工作，因为我们一刻也耽搁不起。
We discussed several of the most immediate challenges facing our economy and key priorities on which to focus in the days and weeks ahead to ease the credit crisis, help hard-working families, and restore growth and prosperity. First, we need a rescue plan for the middle class that invests in immediate efforts to create jobs and provides relief to families that are watching their paychecks shrink and their life savings disappear. 我们讨论了我国经济面临的若干最紧迫的挑战，以及在接下来的数日和数周内需要集中关注的关键优先事项，以缓解信贷危机、帮助辛勤工作的家庭、并恢复增长与繁荣。首先，我们需要一项面向中产阶级的救助计划，投资于能够立即创造就业机会的举措，并向那些眼看着工资缩水、毕生积蓄化为乌有的家庭提供救济。
Then, we'll address the spreading impact to the financial crisis on other sectors of our economy and ensure that the rescue plan that passed Congress is working to stabilize financial markets while protecting tax payers, helping home owners, and not unduly rewarding the management of financial firms that are receiving government assistance. 其次，我们将应对金融危机对我国经济其他部门不断扩散的影响，并确保国会通过的救助计划切实发挥作用，在稳定金融市场的同时保护纳税人利益、帮助房主，并且不会不适当地奖励那些接受政府援助的金融企业管理层。
Finally, we will move forward with a set of policies that will grow our middle class and strengthen our economy in the long term. We can't afford to wait on moving forward on the key priorities that I identified during the campaign, including clean energy, health care, education, and tax relief for middle-class families. 最后，我们将推进一系列政策，以壮大我们的中产阶级并从长远上巩固我国经济。我们不能再拖延推进我在竞选期间所确定的关键优先事项，包括清洁能源、医疗保健、教育以及为中产家庭提供税收减免。
Let me close by saying I do not underestimate the enormity of the task that lies ahead. We've taken some major actions to date and we will need further actions during this transition and subsequent months. Some of those choices will be difficult, but America is a strong and resilient country. I know that we will succeed, if we put aside partisanship and work together as one nation. And that is what I intend to do. 最后我想说的是，我并不低估前方任务的艰巨性。迄今为止，我们已经采取了一些重大举措，而在过渡期间以及随后的数月中，我们还将需要采取进一步行动。其中一些抉择将十分艰难，但美国是一个坚强而富有韧性的国家。我深知，只要我们摒弃党派之争，作为一个国家团结一心，我们就一定能够成功。这也正是我打算去做的事情。